Syria announces ceasefire with Kurdish fightersAFP, DAMASCUSThe Syrian Ministry of Defense yesterday announced a ceasefire in Aleppo after days of deadly clashes between the army and Kurdish fighters forced thousands of civilians to flee. Kurdish fighters were given until 9am yesterday to leave those areas, while the Aleppo governorate said Kurdish fighters would be sent, along with their light weapons, to Kurdish areas further east. There was no immediate comment from Kurdish forces in response to the government statements. Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh have remained under the control of Kurdish units linked to the SDF, despite Kurdish fighters agreeing to withdraw from the areas in April. Turkey, which shares a 900km border with Syria, has launched successive offensives to push Kurdish forces from the frontier.

Source: Taipei Times January 09, 2026 17:45 UTC